EMPIRE LEAGUE FOOTBALL : Vega’s Final Key Play Helps Century Beat El Dorado

SANTA ANA — Ignacio Vega’s interception in the closing seconds clinched a 6-3 victory for Century over El Dorado in an Empire League game Thursday at Santa Ana Stadium.

Vega had several other important plays. He had a 72-yard run and a five-yard reception for first down on Century’s scoring drive. He also had a sack from his defensive back position.

His interception came at the Century 11 with seven seconds left in the game.

Led by quarterback Mike Marzicola and helped by a 15-yard penalty for a late hit, El Dorado had driven 62 yards in 27 seconds and had a first down at the Century 13 with 35 seconds left. Century’s Robert Villegas and Luis Ramirez sacked Marzicola for an 11-yard loss on the next play. Marzicola, who to that point was four of four for 49 yards in the drive, had his next pass intercepted.

Had El Dorado been able to hang onto the ball earlier, there might not have been a chance for late-game heroics. The Golden Hawks fumbled on the Century four after opening the game with a 17-play drive that took almost 11 minutes.

Century (3-4, 1-1 in league) then drove 94 yards for a touchdown. On third and seven at the Century 17, Vega went in motion, took a handoff and ran 72 yards to the El Dorado 11. He got an important downfield block from Jose Serratos.

His five-yard reception on third down gave the Centurions a first down inside the El Dorado one. Quarterback Stan Villanueva scored on a one-yard dive.